Indri Unique

Animals Unique | Indri Unique | Indri Classification and Evolution : The Indri is a large species of lemur found only on the secluded island of Madagascar. The Indri evolved in the same way as every other Lemurs, from smaller individuals That Came to the island from Africa around 50 million years ago. Due to the fact That there were no other Primates to Compete with, lemurs soon adapted to live in a variety of habitats, producing a Diverse range of different species.

 

Locally, the Indri is known as the babakoto the which means little father or ancestor of man. As the native people believe That the Indri (with it's lack of visible tail) resembles Their Ancestors, Their is a taboo Certain over-consuming it, meaning the Indri That does receive some protection in parts of Their native environments. Indri Anatomy and Appearance : Indris are the largest of all lemur species living today. with some individuals reaching nearly a meter in height. The average Indri however, tends to be Between 60 and 80 cm tall with a tail of just 5cm (all other lemurs have tails That are around the same length as Their bodies). The Indri has a dense coat of silky black fur with a varying number of white patches depending on the geographic region. Their toes and fingers are very dexterous and are good for grasping Hind legs long and Their aid them in leaping up to 10 meters Between vertical branches in the forest. The yellow eyes of the Indri face forwards to help them to judge the distance before making a jump.Indri Distribution and HabitatLike all lemurs, the Indri is found only on the island of Madagascar in Lowland jungle and tropical forests. 

 

 

Lemurs are arboreal animals meaning That They spend the majority of Their lives, eating, sleeping and mating high up in the trees. Today, the Indri however is only found in small pockets of protected forest in Eastern Madagascar, due to Increased levels of logging and the clearing of land for agriculture across the island. Although actual figures are unknown there are thought to be less than 10.000 Indri left in Madagascar, meaning That the species is under severe threat in it's natural environment.Indri Behaviour and LifestyleThe Indri is a Sociable animal, living in small family units of Between 2-6 individuals, that consist of a male and female pair with Their Young. Among lemurs Primates are unique as it is the WHO Females are the dominant ones, meaning That They get to feed first while the lazy to defend Their territory. Indris Communicate through a series of eerie Wailing calls both to unite families and also to mark Their territory, that can be heard up to 2km away. They also urinate to mark out along borders Their patch. One of the most noticeable differences Between Monkeys and lemurs is Their Dog Snout the which-like all lemurs Gives an excellent sense of smell so They are Able to sniff out these markings with ease and avoid Confrontation.Indri Reproduction and Life CyclesIndris Females do not reach sexual maturity to growing niche until 8 or 9 They are years old, when They are Able to have one infant every two or three years. The babies are usually born in May or June after a gestation period of Between four and five months. The Indri infant clings onto the belly of it's mother for the first few months of life, when it then moves onto her back round. 

 

 

By the time babies are Indri around 8 months old, They are independent of Their mother but with her REMAIN Generally until the age of 2 or 3. Sadly, half of all babies are thought to Indri die before the age of 2, usually due to sickness or injury. Although adult Indris have been known to get well into their twenties, most live for Between 15 and 18 years.Indri Diet and PreyThe Indri is a herbivorous animal, unlike many other Primates That Will Munch on almost everything in sight. Animals are diurnal meaning Indris That They are most active during the day and this is when They hunt for food, both in the trees and on the ground. Females get first pickings and are Often found foraging for very new leaves. Young leaves make up the majority of the Indri's diet along with fruits, seeds and flowers, the which are easily picked up with Their nimble fingers. Indris are known to eat a wide variety of plant matter although it is thought That They predominantly eat vegetation That comes from the trees.

 

 

Indri Predators and ThreatsLiving high up in the trees That means the Indri is safe from many ground-dwelling predators, however, there are a number of animals have no problem That getting up to the Indri's height. The native-like Fossa Cat is the main predator of the Indri and is an incredibly agile and primarily tree-dwelling mammal That has evolved to catch one thing, lemurs. Other predators of the Indri include Birds Of Prey Such large as the Hawks, Snakes and Reptiles Including, all of the which have the Indri are thought to have different signals for danger. One of the largest threats to Madagascar's Indri Populations however is habitat loss, as Hundreds acres of natural jungle are being cleared every day.Indri Interesting Facts and FeaturesThe Indri is the largest lemur existent today and, like other lemurs, is most closely related to more primitive Primates Including Bushbabies, Pottos and lorises. Despite the fact That there are nearly 100 species of lemur and Their sub-species found today, the Indri is the only remaining species in it's genus. Before the island was ravaged by deforestation, it is thought That a different population of Indri Occupied nearly every ridge in the eastern forests of Madagascar. The color of the Indri differs Between Populations, further south with individuals thought to have more patches of white, while Those in the more northern growing niche areas to be darker.Indri Relationship with HumansUntil the industry started to take an interest in Madagascar's natural resources, the Indri Relatively seemed to have a peaceful relationship with the native people and were not eaten by them. Today however, reports of non-locals hunting the Indri are of great concern to conservationists particularly at a time when Populations are being so devastatingly affected by the destruction of Their natural environments.

 

 

Indri Populations are now thought to be drastically low, as the Indri can only be found in protected forest regions (where logging and land Devastation still Occurs).Indri Conservation Status and Life TodayAlthough the exact number of Indri inhabiting Madagascar today is unknown, there are thought to only be up to 10.000 individuals left in the wild. Other estimates are more claiming Concerning That there may be as few as 1.000 Indri remaining, but They are now protected with the listing as an endangered species. One of the biggest worries to science is that? The Indri does not do well in captivity captive breeding programs That meaning to try and rehabilitate the dying Populations are Likely to be unsuccessful.

Indri Unique Facts Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: mammals Order: Primates Family: Indriidae Genus: Indri Scientific Name: Indri indri Common Name: Indri Other Name (s): Babakoto Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 1 Location: Eastern Madagascar Habitat: Lowland rainforest Colour: Grey, Black, Brown, White Skin Type: Fur Size (H): 64cm - 72cm (25in - 28in) Weight: 6kg - 9.5kg (13lbs - 21lbs) Top Speed: 32kph (20mph) Diet: Herbivore Prey: Fruits, Flowers, Leaves Predators: Fossa, Hawks, Snakes Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Troop Life Span: 15-22 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 8-9 years Gestation Period: 4-5 months Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Infant Of Weaning Age: 8 months Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: 10.000 Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Distinctive Features: Black and white markings and loud, prolonged vocal calls Fun Fact: The largest species of lemur!